Dean of Students

Building Leadership and Administrative Support

• Work collaboratively with district and building administration as part of the Greenspire leadership team.
• Provide administrative coverage and decision-making support when building administrators are unavailable or engaged elsewhere.
• Help address day-to-day building needs so that administrators can maintain focus on instructional leadership, staff support, family relationships, and longer-term school priorities.
• Support communication and coordination between the middle and high school.
• Assist with school events, assemblies, activities, field experiences, projects, and other building-wide needs.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of school procedures and systems.
• Participate in leadership meetings and other planning as appropriate.

Student Services

Collaborate with special education staff, counselors, teachers, administrators, and families to support students' academic and social-emotional needs.

• Participate in student support meetings, problem-solving teams, and other collaborative processes as appropriate.
• Support implementation of student accommodations and services, including IEP and 504 plans, in collaboration with the appropriate staff.
• Help identify barriers to student success and coordinate appropriate interventions and supports.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding student information and records.

Family and Community Engagement

• Develop positive and productive relationships with students and families.
• Communicate with families regarding student concerns, behavior, attendance, and support needs.
• Support Greenspire's commitment to strong school-family partnerships.
• Represent Greenspire positively and professionally with families, community partners, and organizations connected to the school's environmental and place-based mission.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working with middle and/or high school students.
• Experience supporting student behavior, school climate, supervision, or student services.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate boundaries and clear expectations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, support staff, students, and families.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Commitment to Greenspire's mission, culture, and student-centered approach.

Preferred

• Administrative or school leadership experience.
• Michigan school administrator certification or progress toward certification.
• Experience with special education, IEPs, 504 plans, or other student support systems.
• Experience with restorative practices or other relationship-centered approaches to student behavior.
• Experience with project-based, place-based, experiential, or environmental education.
• Experience working with students in outdoor or community-based learning environments.
• Experience with attendance and truancy processes.
• Experience in a small-school, charter-school, alternative-school, or similarly nontraditional educational setting.
• Experience working across multiple buildings or school programs.

Personal and Professional Characteristics The Successful Candidate Will Be

• Student-centered and relationship-oriented.
• Calm, steady, and approachable, particularly in challenging situations.
• Comfortable holding students accountable while maintaining strong relationships.
• A clear and thoughtful communicator.
• Collaborative and willing to work across traditional role boundaries.
• Organized, responsive, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Comfortable making decisions independently while knowing when to involve district and building administration.
• Reflective and open to feedback.
• Comfortable working in a school where learning happens both inside and outside the traditional classroom.
• Able to support the balance of freedom and structure that is central to the Greenspire experience.
• Curious about and supportive of project-based, place-based, experiential, and environmental education.
• Someone who sees student behavior as an opportunity for connection, accountability, and growth.
• Someone who understands the importance of building trust and belonging with students, families, and colleagues.
• A good fit for the culture, values, and educational model of The Greenspire School.

Work Environment The Dean of Students will primarily work at the Greenspire High School and will have scheduled responsibilities at the middle school each week. The position requires regular movement throughout the school day and the ability to respond to changing student and building needs.

Because Greenspire's educational model extends beyond traditional classrooms, the Dean of Students should expect to work in a variety of environments and settings, including classrooms, outdoor spaces, field experiences, community locations, and school events. The position requires flexibility and a willingness to engage with students wherever learning and school life are taking place.

The Dean of Students will work closely with district and building administration and will be an important part of creating consistency, connection, and support across the Greenspire program.

Compensation And Contract

• One-year-only position for the 2026–27 school year, with potential for continuation based on annual evaluation, demonstrated effectiveness, and budget capacity.
• Salary and benefits will be established in accordance with Greenspire School policies and the terms of employment.
• Position is subject to all applicable requirements for employment in a Michigan public school academy.